Wiffle ball tournament a hit

Saturday

Aug 16, 2014 at 10:43 PMAug 16, 2014 at 10:43 PM

By Zachary ComeauDaily News Staff

FRANKLIN - Though the day was filled with fun, laughter, music and Wiffle ball, Michelle Adiletto called the day an emotional one.Even as she watched her son, Dylan, 14, dig in to try to hit a Wiffle ball over the heads of the fielders, all she could think of was how much her husband would have enjoyed the day.The Second Annual Random Smile Wiffle Ball Tournament was in honor of Adiletto’s husband, Danny, who passed away June 7, 2013. He was 44 years old.The Random Smiles Project, a Franklin-based nonprofit organization, "provides a bridge of support to people going through difficult times," the organization's website says.Last year, the tournament honored Franklin native Paul DeGrazia, who was battling cancer at the time. He died in December 2013.But this year, the organization held the event in remembrance of Adiletto to help support Michelle, Dylan and her three other children, all under the age of 12.According to event organizers, $5,000 was raised before any game started.According to Michelle, her husband would have assumed the role as team captain on any of the 36 teams he landed on if he were there.The lifelong Franklin resident coached various youth sports, Michelle said."He would have loved this," she said. "He was the type of person that would watch all the games, talk to everyone and support every team."She said Franklin residents have shown an amazing capacity to support their own when tragedy strikes.In January, the town rallied to support a Franklin family after two young children became trapped inside a hope chest while playing.On Saturday, Michelle felt that same kind of support."The town really rallies together to help comfort and be with its own," she said.Adiletto’s brother, Michael, also a lifelong Franklin resident, said the tournament seemed to be the town’s way of recognizing his brother, who he said always thought of others first."He always did things for other people," he said. "I’m glad everyone came out."Zachary Comeau can be reached at 508-634-7556 and zcomeau@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @ZComeau_MDN.